Bait-receptacle.



A. c. SEEGER. BAIT REGEPTAGLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22,1910.

Patented Mau'fr, 1911.

ATTORNEYS AUGUST CHARLES SE EG ER, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS.

BAIT-RECEPTACLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 22, 1910. Serial No. 573,196.

ing an opening for the introduction and removal of the bait, a movableclosure for the opening, a dipper for removing the bait from the casing,and an operative connection between the closure and the dipper.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, strong and durablereceptacle for minnows and other kinds of bait which it is desired tokeep alive by immersing the receptacle in water, which is so constructedthat it can easily be towed while floating in the water, which tends tofollow the course in which it is being towed, by means of which the baitcan be kept alive for long periods, and which is so constructed that thebait can be easily and rapidly taken therefrom as it is desired for use.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts tobe more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompany ing drawings forming a part ofthis specication, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a planView of an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionon the lineQ 2 of Fig. 1, certain of the parts being shown in differentpositions in broken outline; Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing a pail used forcarrying the receptacle.

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of my invention, itshould be clearly understood that while the receptacle isv particularlyuseful as a container for minnows used as live bait in fishing, it canalso be employed for other kinds of bait, and for different purposes, inwhich it is necessary to'keep alive small animals which live in water.The casing of the receptacle is so fashioned that it will float nearlysubmerged, so that the body of the casing. is practically tilled withwater, which enters through perforations in the walls. These perforaions however, are so proportioned that the water within the casing,while the device is being towed, is still, to obviate the possibility ofinjuring the live bait. The dipper is operatively connected with thehinged lid or closure of the opening of the casing, so that as theclosure is opened, the dipper is swung through the water, and if thebait comes in its path, willscoop up the same. and hold it in anoperative position in the opening, from which it can be' easily removedby the fisherman. If but a few of the bait are left in the receptacle,the dipper can be disconnected from the lid, so that the bait can betaken out by hand from the water in the casing. WVhen the dipper isoperatively positioned it acts as a closure for the opening, so thatthere is no danger of any of the other of the bait escaping through theopening when the lid is displaced.

Certain of the details of construct-ion shown for example herewith, formno part of the invention, and can be varied in accordance withindividual preference and special conditions, without departing from theunderlying spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, I provide a receptaclecasing 10, fashioned from suitable sheet metal or any other materialadapted for the purpose. It is of rectangular cross section and ofelongated form, having the front end 11 tapered, and the rear end 12rounded, so that it approximates the form of the hull of a boat. Thebottom 13 is preferably upwardly inclined at the front. The form of thecasing permits it to be towed easily through the water. The top 14, hasan opening 15, surrounded by a downwardly disposed internal flange 16.To this is secured,by soldering or in any other manner, an annular sheet17 which extends downwardly and out wardly to the walls 18 of thecasing, forming with the walls, the top and the flange, a float chambersurrounding the opening 15, and extending part way to the bottom of thecasing. The float chamber is so proportioned that the casing will floatin the water with the top 14: slightly above the surface, so that thecasing is practically submerged. The side walls are provided withperfora- .tions 19 through which the water can enter.

Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

Near the front end or bow, the casing has an eye or rin 20, by means ofwhich a towing line 21 can be attached to the receptacle.

A closure is provided for the opening 15.

F It consists preferably, of an angular frame 22, having wire screen 23,or any other reticulate body, soldered or otherwise fastened thereon. Itis movably secured to the top 14. by means of hinges 2t or in any othersuitable manner. It is provided with a. handle ring 25, by means ofwhich it can be easily raised and lowered. A dipper is located withinthe casing, for removing the bait. It comprises an angular frame 26,fashioned from wire or other suitable material, and having a net 27secured thereto. The net is fashioned from wire screen or any othersuitable material. Adjacent to the flange 16, the member 17 has a. pairof hinge hooks 28 which movably receive one of the sides of the frame26, so that the dipper is mounted to swing. A link 29 is pivotallysecured to a bracket 30 of the inclosure, and at the other end has aspring hook 31 adapted to engage a bracket 32 carried by the frame 26 ofthe'dipper. In this way, the closure and the dipper are operativelyconnected so that when the closure is opened and moved to the positionindicated in broken outline in Fig. 3, the dipper swings through thewater in the casing, into a position under the openin 15. When theclosure is in its lowered position, the dipper is inoperativelydisposed. A stop 33 is provided on the flange 16, to limit the movementof the dipper and the closure;

A suitable pail 34 having a cover 35 and a carrying handle or bail 36 ofthe usual construction, is provided for carrying the receptacle. This isnecessary, to provide the bait with water when going to and from thefishing ground or under other circumstances in which it is impossible toallow the receptacle to float in the water. I prefer to provide thecover 35 with perforations 37, and as shown for example, it is securedto the pail by means of a suitable hinge 38.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A bait receptacle comprising a casing having an opening, a closurepivotally secured adjacent to an edge of said opening, at the outside ofsaid casing, a dipper pivotally secured adjacent to an edge of saidopening, within said casing, and serving for the removal of bait fromsaid casing, and a link pivotally secured to said closure and saiddipper, and serving operatively to connect the same.

2. A bait receptacle comprising a casing having an opening, a closurepivotally secured adjacent to an edge of said opening, at the outside ofsaid casing, a dipper pivotally secured adjacent to an edge of saidopening, within said casing, and serving for the removal of bait fromsaid casing, and a link pivotally secured to said closure and saiddipper, and serving operatively to connect the same, said link having atthe end adjacent to said dipper a spring hook, said dipper having aprojection adapted to be removably engaged by said hook.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST CHARLES SEEGER.

Witnesses:

EMIL H. KLIoK, W. D. HOFFMAN.

